Mountains, Sea & Safaris (SD)

Welcome to South Africa! When you arrive at Johannesburg airport, you pick up your rental car and leave for the Drakennsberg area. The Drakensberg or “Dragon Mountains” are a chain of mountains located almost in the center of South Africa. These reliefs constitute a natural wealth in Africa and are listed as World Heritage Sites. Culminating up to 3500 meters above sea level, these mountains are a paradise for hikers in search of wide open spaces.After check-in at your guesthouse, take the rest of the day to explore the charming town of Clarens, where you will be spending the night.

Included in your package:

Check-in and start your 3-day hike: This is a circular hike covering approximately 43 km over 3 days / 2 nights. It is fully guided by one of our area experts and includes food, tents and camping gear. You will head to the top of the Drakensberg escarpment via the Mnweni Pass. The first day of hiking covers 14 km to the foot of the Col. Although there is no major ascent profile, the day is quite long. You will spend this night in tents. The second day will see an ascent to Mnweni Pass. The elevation gain is around 1200m with the majority of the gain in the last 3km. You will spend this second night in the amazing cave known as Ledgars. The cave is located on the ledge of the escarpment and not only offers hikers a majestic view to the north, but it is also a truly magical place to spend the night.
The third day is long. You will travel 17 miles and descend via Rockeries Pass. This famous Drakensberg pass gets its name from hikers because it is dotted with small rocks and therefore a bit more challenging. You will wait for the hotel in the afternoon and can rest after a strenuous hike.

Included in your package:

After breakfast, leave for the Underberg region. Located in the southern part of the Drakensberg region, near the Drakensberg mountains and the border with Lesotho, the small town of Underberg is an obligatory crossing point to access the Pass of Sani which leads to Lesotho. Although it is a city of passage, the territory offers some activities such as hiking, mountain biking, fishing or canoeing. In the early morning, you will cross the border to Lesotho with your guide to spend 2 nights in Lesotho. The first day includes the ascent of Black Mountain (3240m), the second highest road pass in Lesotho with stunning views. You will then take a short walk to see Thabana Ntlenyana, the highest point in Southern Africa at 3482m. The next day, you will pass through a variety of beautiful landscapes, including the legendary Orange River (known as “Senqu River” in the local Sesotho language). It is the main river that drains the highlands of Lesotho and the longest river in South Africa. The third day includes a half-day hike before crossing the border

Included in your package:

After breakfast, you will depart for Saint Lucia. After checking-in at the guesthouse, set off on a sunset cruise on the St Lucia estuary. Crocodiles, hippos and a few other surprises are awaiting!

Included in your package:

Your day begins at sunrise with a 4×4 safari in the famous Hluhluwe Reserve, the oldest national park in South Africa. Less touristy than the Kruger National Park, it is the meeting of two reserves: Hluhluwe and Umfolozi, named after the two rivers that cross it. You will be back in Saint Lucia in the afternoon, where you can rest at the guesthouse, walk around the city or end the day in the Isimangaliso reserve, which is accessible from Saint Lucia.

Included in your package:

After breakfast, depart for Maputaland, a region located in the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal province, between Swaziland and the coast. The bird roads and coral reefs off the coast are major tourist attractions. Your accommodation gives you access to a white sandy beach and many activities such as diving, kayaking and turtle tours (depending on the season)
Included in your package:

After breakfast, you depart for Eswatini (new name for the Kingdom of Swaziland) where you will meet your local guide. Eswatini is a State located in southern Africa and landlocked between South Africa and Mozambique. This magnificent little country offers kilometers of parks and large natural spaces particularly suitable for hiking or safaris. Indeed, in addition to its unique and spectacular landscapes, Swaziland is home to many animal species that will delight lovers of African wildlife.

Included in your package:

Cross the northern border of Eswatini after leaving your host. You will head to the Kruger Park, which you will reach in the early afternoon. The park is the size of Wales or Israel and packed with roaring treasures; in fact, it is one of the largest national parks in the world. Lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and rhinoceroses live there freely to the delight of park visitors wishing to admire these majestic animals in their natural environment. Here the speed is limited to 50 km/h on paved road and 40 km/h on track, so as not to endanger the animals.

Included in your package:

After spending the morning in the Kruger Park, you will continue north to reach Timbavati. The Timbavati Reserve was established in 1956 by the then landowners. Today, Timbavati with the adjacent Kruger National Park, is one of the largest private game reserves in the world. One of the specificities of Timbavati is the low density of lodges present on the reserve. They all have one thing in common: preserving the ecosystem and the fauna found there. Here, all your meals and two guided 4×4 game drives per day are included.

Included in your package:

You will leave Timbavati after a morning game drive and breakfast for the Blyde river canyon area. The main attractions of this day include God’s Window and of course… the Blyde Canyon! Deep from 6 to 800 meters, it stretches over 26 km, making it the 3rd largest canyon in the world. Several points of view are worth a stop, in particular in the North, the site of the “3 Rondavels”

After breakfast, you leave for Johannesburg which you will reach in the afternoon. Before leaving Graskop, we recommend aa visit to the Lisbon and Berlin falls, as well as the gold miners’ village of Pilgrims Rest. Once at Johannesburg airport, all you have to do is return the vehicle and board your international flight.

Included in your package: